Now we arrive at perhaps the most important section of the EPC: the recommendations.
Numbers on a page mean nothing unless you take action. Here you get a detailed breakdown of the recommended measures, costs, savings and how much each measure could improve the property’s energy efficiency rating.
The recommended measures are shown in order of importance, and the energy efficiency improvements figures are based on making the improvements in that order. Of course, you might not be able to complete them all, or in the order listed, but it’s a good guide.
The number of recommended measures will vary, depending on which ones are applicable to your property. In this example, the first priority is wall insulation, and if the homeowner is really committed to bringing the rating up to B, the checklist ends with the installation of solar PV panels.
This image shows the performance ratings after improvements listed below, however they only assume the improvements have been installed in the order they appear in the table. For more information you can refer to the energy grants calculator.
- In the table it shows that properties that took recommended measures in terms of internal of external wall insulation, the indicative cost is £4,000 – £14,000. The typical savings per year amount to £510. The rating after improvement is E51 and is supported through Green Deal finance.
- Floor insulation (suspended floor) has an indicative cost of £800 – £1,200, with typical savings per year amounting to £73. The rating after improvement is E53. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment upfront.
- With recommended measures for increases in hot water cylinder insulation, the indicative costs is between £15 – £30. The typical savings per year amount to £94. The rating after improvement is D56. The recommended measures are supported through the Green Deal finance.
- When it comes to low energy lighting for all fixed outlets, the indicative cost is £70 and the typical savings per year is £49. Rating after improvement is listed as D56. There is no green deal finance with low energy lightning.
- When it comes to heating controls (room thermostat and TRVs) the indicative costs are £350 – £450. The typical saving is £108, and the rating after improvement is listed as D62. The recommended measures are supported through the Green Deal finance.
- When it comes to replacing a boiler with new condensing boiler, the indicative costs are £2,200 – £3,000. The typical saving is £314, and the rating after improvement is listed as C72. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment upfront.
- When it comes to solar water heating, the indicative costs are £4,000 – £6,000. The typical saving is £46, and the rating after improvement is listed as C74. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment upfront.
- When it comes to replacing single glazed windows with low-E double glazed windows the indicative costs are £3,300 – £6,500. The typical saving is £86, and the rating after improvement is listed as C77. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment upfront.
- When it comes to solar photovoltaic panels, 2.5 kWp the indicative costs are £5,000 – £8,000. The typical saving is £284, and the rating after improvement is listed as B35. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment upfront.
Alternative measures
The next section lists other measures that can improve the energy efficiency of the property. Although there is less information about potential costs and savings, these alternatives can be something to consider, if you have more time and financial resources available to you.
Our example home could benefit from innovative heating technologies such as an air source heat pump or a ground source heat pump.
